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May the best David win

Yesterday10:21 p.m.

869-americanidol0002_me_5-9-08_jfs2embeddedprod_affiliate81.jpgSeriously? That’s all we get from the hometown visits? David A. with the freaky mustachioed mayor? Syesha getting a text message in a limo? David C. goofing on Kansas City’s Fox Channel 4?

What about that David Cook parade? That David Cook concert in the Power and Light District? That David cook pitch at the Royals game?

I would be more upset if my “Idol” of choice, Kansas City’s David Cook, had not completely set himself apart on Tuesday as the absolute only logical choice for this year’s “Idol” title.

Those “Idol” producers aren’t stupid. They’re still smarting from the Daughtry debacle, and they’re not about to let a legit rocker lose it again this time. At least that’s what I’m hoping.

My Kansas City allegiance aside, I think it was still pretty clear on Tuesday that David Cook is the most talented of the remaining three contestants.

He managed to turn Roberta Flack’s soft and sentimental “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” into a legitimate rock ballad, and he sang Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” way better than Stephen Tyler could ever hope to.

Are Syesha and David A. even in the same league? Her “If I Ain’t Got You” was pretty good, and his “And So It Goes” was among his least creepy performances ever, but as a whole, the soon-to-be runners up didn’t even come close to delivering anything worth remembering.

Oh, wait. I take that back. Sadly, I will never stop remembering David Archuleta’s cover of Chris Brown’s “With You.” Dressed in his best Blake Lewis-wear, poor David danced like he was at his first seventh-grade mixer. Worse, he sang the lyric “boo,” a term that a little baby face like David should use only if it’s Halloween. Mark that down as one of the most awkward performances in “Idol”‘ history.

I’m still predicting a David-David finale, and if it isn’t Cook, a great injustice will have been committed, and I will lead an army to the Power and Light district in protest.

So what did you think? Will it be David and David? Didn’t it feel like the judges were trying to influence voters against Syesha? And who’s going to win it all?

By Denise | Filed under Top 12 | Comments (9)

The Blue Springs parade is on!

May 7, 20089:29 p.m.

jason_c.jpgOohhhhh, but the one in Rockwall, Texas, is off.

As predicted by the mince-no-words Sir Cowell, Jason Castro’s packed bags will come in handy tonight because he’s out, a victim of his own doing. Give an accuracy award to whichever friend told Jason that he “Shot the Tambourine Man” on Tuesday night.

This means that David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado are in the top three. It also means that all the Cook-related festivities planned in the Kansas City area will go on as planned on Friday.

What to make of the final three? I’m glad David Cook is in it. I still think it’ll be a David-David finale. And I still say that if Cook doesn’t win, “Idol” will have officially jumped the shark. I’ll try to stop short, though, of the predictable behavior of swearing “Idol” off for good when my favorite contestant is cut.

One comment before we finish. Who, I demand to know, is responsible for those dreadful, ill-fitting matador outfits the contestants were forced to pour themselves into for this week’s Ford commercial? My screen was suddenly filled ALL KINDS of sides of those four people I did not need to see. Furthermore, can we please cut the cheesy choreography of the opening results night number once the finalists are a rocker, a dreadlocker, a teenbot boy and one poor girl who has to carry the whole number herself? AWKWARD!!!!!

So what do you think? Who’s going to win it all? Who’s getting cut next week? And who’s ready for a roadtrip to KC on Friday?

By Denise | Filed under C-ya | Comments (18)

David Cook’s homecoming

May 7, 20085:07 p.m.

david_cook2.jpgJUST IN CASE David Cook advances to “Idol’s” final three tonight, a big homecoming is planned for him in the Kansas City area.

According to an article in The Kansas City Star, a whole slate of appearances is planned for Cook on Friday, including a mini-concert in the new Power & Light District, a parade in Blue Springs (where he’s from), and a performance of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at a Royal’s game.

If he’s voted off tonight, though, all plans are off.

The city of Blue Springs has set up a David Cook hot line: 816-655-0490.

By Denise | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Final four jitters

May 6, 20089:47 p.m.

Brooke White is gone, but apparently her soul-crushing, bone-shaking stage fright stayed behind and leapt, Oda Mae style, right into the body of Jason Castro.

Freed from the bonds of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Neil Diamond, Jason was free to choose practically any old song he wanted from the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame library. So he chose (”go figure,” and I’m quoting the singer himself) Bob Marley and Bob Dylan. And he massacred ‘em.

On the first song, “I Shot the Sheriff,” Jason overplayed it, obviously caving momentarily to the judges’ suggestion that he “bring it,” or at least bring SOMETHING different to the stage. The result was a messy, off-tune, uncomfortable mess of poor Jason Castro trying too hard.  Song two, “Mr. Tambourine Man,” would have been better if Jason  — perhaps shaken by Simon’s first-round tongue lashing — hadn’t lost an entire line of lyrics. Or four.

And so, sadly, I think Simon’s advice was accurate — pack your bags, Jason, because top four is as far as you’re going. I do love him, and I will miss him. But I don’t get the feeling he’s really all that into it anymore, anyway. Maybe this is as much exposure as he thought he needed, and now he’s off to bigger, dread-ier things.

Jason really is toast, I fear, because the evictee of choice — Syesha Mercado — actually did “bring it” on Tuesday. Her “Proud Mary” was pretty believable, and her “A Change Is Gonna Come” was pretty moving … that is, after I recovered from her comparing her “Idol” journey to the CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. By the way, love her sleek, sleek new do — even though I’m pro-curls.

David Cook was good as usual, but I agree with Randy. Something wasn’t quite on. He wasn’t bad, with his “Hungry Like the Wolf” and markedly better “Baba O’Riley.” He’s not in danger, but he needs to — well, “bring it,” next week.

And as for David A., well, what can I say? I renew my previous objections to his safe, vanilla always-the-same performances and the judges’ subsequent salivation over said safe performances. Although I thought his “Love Me Tender” was better than most of his past songs, I still wasn’t blown away. In fact, I can’t remember much at all about his “Stand By Me.” I was thinking about something else.

So what do you think? Was Paula particularly coherent tonight? Isn’t her hair looking pretty fab these days? And does Jason have any hope at all?

By Denise | Filed under Archuleta worship, Top 12 | Comments (31)

Paula-gate

May 2, 200811:10 a.m.

paula.jpgPaula Abdul’s big mess-up this week — when she critiqued both of Jason Castro’s songs even though he’d sung just one — has become quite the big deal. Since the incident, critics and fans of “American Idol” have been wondering just how scripted, set-up and fair the show really is.

No doubt, this is one of the worst week’s of Paula Abdul’s life — maybe even worse that the week she tripped over her puppy and fractured her…whatever. But according to her bosses at “Idol,” her job is not in jeopardy.

Should it be, though? Discuss…

By Denise | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (9)

No more do-overs

April 30, 20089:15 p.m.

images-2.jpegHow appropriate is it that when Brooke White launched into her final, tearful farewell performance on “American Idol,” she wanted to… start over?

Of course, this time, they didn’t let her. End-of-show time constraints and all. But she did try, which sort of sums up the last four “Idol” weeks for her.

Ya’ll know I love Brooke. She started out strong, had a unique, breathy voice and was a total knockout. But sadly, her confidence was knocked out somewhere around Beatles week, and we’ve been watching her self-destruct ever since.

For that reason, and that reason alone, I think she was the right choice to go. It was down to five, and someone had to.

That said, I really feel she’s more talented — and marketable — than either Syesha or David A, and I will miss her.

And now, if you’ll allow a brief David A. tangent, I’m happy to clarify my position on him for those who are miffed by my comments. Yes, of course the kid is talented. And yes, of course he’s only 17 and will get much better as he matures. But the people he’s up against are mature right now. Their performances have depth and nuance and genuine emotion. He, meanwhile, is a robotic belter, and he’s just not on their level. Should he be given special consideration for being young? And if he is, shouldn’t Brooke be given special consideration for being nervous by nature? Should Syesha be given special consideration for sorta preferring the Broadway thing? I think you see where I’m going with this.

So what do you think? Was Brooke the right one to cut? Is Syesha next? And what exactly are the rumors that got Paula so tearful and Ryan so defensive?

By Denise | Filed under C-ya | Comments (24)

Stick a fork in it…

April 29, 200810:21 p.m.

images1.jpeg…it’s Cooked.

Okay, so I realize that we still have four-plus weeks left in this season of “American Idol,” but I feel comfortable to go on the record with this:

If David Cook does not win, the show is definitely fixed.

I’m sorry, but who else has been more consistent than Cook? Every week, he delivers a wow performance. And if it’s a little short of wow, it’s just a few degrees south of excellent.

His competitors aren’t even in the same league. Jason is lovable but seemed to quit trying three weeks ago. Brooke is beautiful and talented but lost any semblance of confidence three weeks ago. Syesha is fine but dull. Archuleta is a friggin robot.

In her one single, solitary moment of clarity on Tuesday’s show, Paula actually summed it all up when she told David, “I feel like I’m already looking at the next ‘American Idol.’”

Of course, Paula might have thought she was talking to the other David. Or Chikeze.

Rant over. Let’s get to Neil Diamond night.

I must just state for the record that I love Neil Diamond with a fervor that makes my Andrew Lloyd Weber and Dolly Parton obsessions seem mild. The “Jazz Singer” soundtrack has been in my possession since the 1980s, and I just listened to a song or two on my iPod today.

Still, for the most part, Neil makes for pretty awkward “Idol” material.

David Cook’s “All I Really Need is You” was the only song without a single cringe-worthy moment. He really did make that song seem current, and just to prove I thunk it before the judges did, I scribbled it in my notepad as quickly as I could.

Even though she still has a long road back to excellent, I did like Brooke’s “I Am, I Said,” despite the fact that Arizona has no shores I can detect. Maybe lake shores? I can forgive that, though, because it was the first performance in weeks where I wasn’t worried she’d stop and vomit right on stage. Which is an urge I felt during her “I’m A Believer.” Gotta agree with Simon. Nightmare.

You know I love Jason, but seriously, is he even trying anymore? Has he decided he’ll get through just by sparkling his sparkly sparklers at the camera? Well, he might just. But I still think he should attempt something slightly different. That said, “Forever in Blue Jeans” was way better than “September Morn.”

I kinda liked Syesha’s “Hello” (though we all knew she’d pick that one, didn’t we Monica?) But her “Thank The Lord for the Nighttime” was unconvincing enough to make me forget she’d even said “Hello.”

And as for Archuleta… well, after this week, I feel 99.9 percent certain that those judges have been instructed by the men who sign their paychecks to never criticize him. Why? I’m not entirely sure. But how else can you explain the fact that he drones his way through song after identical song, and all the judges every say to him is, “SOLID AS USUAL!” Even Jason’s worst moment on Tuesday was 10 times more genuine than David’s best.

Sadly, I think he’ll be in the final with David Cook. A David-David final. And if the wrong one wins, I say we all join in eternal protest.

So what did you think? Who was the best? Who was the worst? Whose turn is it to go? And most important, are there some taping tricks going on the viewing audience isn’t privy to, or was Paula really so stoned that she thought Jason had already sung twice???

By Denise | Filed under Top 12 | Comments (27)

New and improved ‘Idol?’

April 29, 200810:34 a.m.

According to an article published in Broadcasting & Cable, American Idol is considering  some changes to help boost ratings. Because 25 million viewers just aren’t enough.

By Denise | Filed under Idol links | Comments (1)

Irish eyes aren’t smilin’

April 23, 200810:36 p.m.

29204.jpgThere was a moment Tuesday night, shortly after Brooke White stopped and started her song — for the second time this season!!!!! — when I thought to myself, hmmm.  Now if I were a very cynical person, I might think that Brooke possibly just pulled that little stunt on purpose as a last-ditch, desperate bid to cause an “Idol” stir, drum up a few sympathy votes and buy herself another week.

I am a cynical person. And although I really don’t think her flub up was part of a calculated plot, it still was a pretty clever thing to do. Brooke, as a result, is staying, despite her ongoing on-screen unraveling. Better than that, she’s not even in the bottom two. Brilliant!

She stays, but Carly Smithson goes, done in by one too many performances heavy on the vocal chops but light on the charisma. I won’t really miss her, though I didn’t really dislike her all that much.

Does anyone else wonder how much longer Syesha is going to keep skating on by? What is this, her seventeenth trip to the Loser Stools? Not sure how she’s pulling it off, but she’s got to have nerves of steel by now.

So what do you think? Was the right person sent home? Will Carly find a career… this time? And did my ears deceive me or are we getting NEIL DIAMOND week right on the heels of Sir Andrew week???? Why, this makes up for a thousand Mariahs and both weeks of the Beatles. “Idol,” you’re forgiven.

By Denise | Filed under C-ya | Comments (29)

“Memory…” with dreadlocks

April 23, 200812:25 a.m.

phantom-1.jpgWell, if there’s one thing Sir Andrew and I can agree upon, tis that we never thought we’d see a man singing “Memory” with dreadlocks.

Hello, all. I’m back from Sheryl Crow, which was surprisingly awesome. I’ve just finished watching Andrew Lloyd Weber night on ‘Idol’, I’m listening to Elaine Paige sing “Memory” (without dreadlocks) on YouTube, and I’m mentally planning my trip to the “Phantom” theater in Vegas this summer. (How did its existence escape my attention???)

Anyway, I’m slightly loopy from entertainment overload, so try to stick with me.

Perhaps the loopiness is to blame for the fact that I can’t form too many coherent thoughts about tonight’s show. Here’s my problem. I have loved some of these sappy musical numbers deeply since my sappy teen years, and I have disliked some of these “Idol” contestants deeply for the past six weeks. So when I found myself sort of liking David Archuleta’s “Think of Me,” I had to gut check whether it was just because I love “Phantom.” It was. By the end, he’d turned it in to pure Josh Groban schmaltz, and I was nauseated.

Then, when Jason Castro, who I love, was singing “Memory,” which I love, I wondered if my love for both was clouding my judgement. According to the judges, it definitely was. Still liked it.

And when David Cook did NOT turn “Music of the Night” into a rock song midway through (you know you were thinking it, too) I found myself fantasizing that David is really a music theater geek from way back who’s now masquerading, like so many Phantoms, as a rock star. A girl can dream. Loved it.

I was again indifferent about both Carly and Syesha and think I always will be.  The judges liked Syesha’s “Starlight Express” number, and Carly got good reviews for her “Jesus Christ Superstar” song.  But short of, say, I dunno, STOPPING a song and starting it over, these two just aren’t gonna do anything but bore me for the rest of their time on the show.

Which brings me to poor Brooke White. Watching her melt down entirely over the past few weeks has been excruciating. She’s gone from one of the most fun contestants to watch to one of the most painful to watch, simply because there’s no telling what evil tricks her nerves are going to pull on her from moment to moment.  Sorry, but I’m with Paula. The stopping and starting is bad. No one does that on “Idol,” and she’s done it twice!  I’ll miss her, but I think it’s her turn to go.

So what did you think? Does “Memory” work with dreadlocks? Are you still trying to wash the image of David and the Tween Huggers from your mind? Wanna go with me to see “Phantom” in Vegas? And who will go home on Wednesday?

By Denise | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (20)